Sunday, January 13, 2008

Parks wants to bulldoze endangered species

“We conducted a survey of the flora and fauna of the Ridgewood Reservoir site in Queens, NY, in the summer and fall of 2007. No less than ten plant and animal species listed as Threatened, Endangered or Special Concern in New York State were found at the site. A total of 173 plant species were observed, three of which are listed as Threatened or Endangered in New York State. Several plant communities observed were also of significant conservation concern.

A total of 127 bird species were observed during fall migration at the site, including seven species which are listed as Threatened or Special Concern in New York State. A breeding bird survey conducted by local naturalists in 2007 also confirmed or suspected 38 bird species to be nesting at the site.

[Invasive tree] species should be actively replaced with native species that have comparable or greater ecosystem, wildlife and aesthetic values, using seed collected onsite or from nearby natural areas. This would not only serve to inhibit the future growth of invasive species, but would enhance the native species diversity at the site, which appears to be somewhat diminished by its severe isolation from other existing natural areas.

Activities such as exotic plant removal, native species planting and propagation, and biological monitoring offer excellent opportunities for environmental education, research and community involvement. The development of such programs and activities would be further facilitated by establishing a small nature center at the site. By combining the resources of the park system and local community to bring about the conservation and restoration of the site, Ridgewood Reservoir could effectively become a model of environmental stewardship for other parks in New York City, and the world, well into the future.”

Unfortunately, Parks & Recreation and many elected officials just don't get it. Under the City Charter DPR is responsible for administering the parks that belong to us, the citizens of NYC. I'll repeat that once again so that even the mis-management team at DPR can understand it: THE PARKS BELONG TO THE CITIZENS OF NYC. They are not private playgrounds, which DPR can destroy whenever some developer or contractor shows them the money.

when I was a lad, 500 years or so ago, the streets in Queens had so little traffic on the weekends that my pals and I could play stickball right out in the middle of the street without having to lug our way over to the local playground.

Nowadays of course the borough has become so populated and congested with autos that if kids tried this they'd get mowed down within a few seconds. So instead of planting saplings to replace the towering trees you're chopping down, Mr Mayor, how about reducing the population to a reasonable level: one person per square inch, say.

"Activities such as exotic plant removal, native species planting and propagation, and biological monitoring offer excellent opportunities for environmental education, research and community involvement. The development of such programs and activities would be further facilitated by establishing a small nature center at the site. By combining the resources of the park system and local community to bring about the conservation and restoration of the site, Ridgewood Reservoir could effectively become a model of environmental stewardship for other parks in New York City, and the world, well into the future."

Where in this report does it say that the trees should be clearcut for ballfields and why is parks considering this option?

so, in essence, Benepe and Bloomberg are creating a mirror image of the pre-existing facilities in Highland Park. How extraordinarily useful that will be!

Perhaps they might go on to do this on a larger scale, e.g. building a 2nd Unisphere in FMCP, and a second Borough Hall, which wouldn't actually be so bad if it were filled with politicians who actually had the people's interests at heart, rather than developer's.

ps I grew up one decade behind you in the 70's. Only feel 500 years old, at times. ;)

I was at a meeting regarding this issue. The Parks Dept. gave 3 proposed options for what could be done with the 3 basins. The most eastern basin contains the endangered species. The middle basin, which also contains some of the endangered species is the only basin with water still in it. The last basin, most western, does not contain any endangered species. They spoke of removing some of the greenery, mainly bushes and vine trees because they will eventually killed the other plant life around them. This is not an attempt to "clear cut" trees like many people think it will be.

You are incorrect. The report states that there are areas of conservation concern in all three basins. Endangered birds were found in the west basin. And you can see from the photo where the trees are. You have to clearcut in order to install ballfields. If you don't have the report, how can you comment about what is or is not there?

The walking/running/biking path around the basin is in rough shape. Almost all of the fencing needs to be replaced. Its a shame that only 1 of the 77 lights is not broken. We can thank kids for that.

What's being advocated as an alternate to developing the basins is that the money be used to fix these decrepit areas of the park, so I am not sure what your issue is.

I still find it laughable that everyone is all of a sudden an environmentalist. I am going to bet that 90% of the people that live within 1 mile of the reservoir have never even been there and know nothing about it. Yes the parks are for the citizens of NYC, but that does not mean there should not be money used to improve the existing area which is in rough shape.

Ok, how much do you want to bet on that? Revitalization of Highland Park has been a community board priority on both sides of the border for many years. Once again, the counterproposal to what parks wants to do is to FIX what's broken, not break what's not. Even if no one used the park, is it healthy for our city to cut down acres of forest?

But don't worry, keep complaining since you are all experts on everything that goes on in Queens. Instead of complaining on a blog, go out and do something about it. Start with attending a meeting or 2 to find out what is really going on.

We are experts as to what is going on in Queens. We live here! When is the Parks Department having the meeting to tell us what is really going on? We'd all love to go.

One of the Anonymous Majority is on to something... "someone's friend is getting a fat contract." Actually, there's no work to even bid on yet, but the point is government agencies de facto exist to expand. One way parks can expand is by building new facilities. And there IS a whole crew of greedy parasites waiting to get their beaks wet... suppliers, builders, unions... they (legally) buy the City with campaign contributions, and the City encourages the Parks bureacracy to go at it. At the end of the day, it's all about money and power.

"Actually, we are the boss. Parks is the employee. Someone seems to have forgotten that."

You are right about that and I havent forgotten. And yes, the elected officials are also our employees. That is another discussion in itself. But just because we pay taxes does not necessarily mean that each city agency has to comply with each individual's opinion on a matter. Maybe there should be an opportunity for people who live within a certain distance around the reservoir (both Queens and Brooklyn) to have a chance to vote on what should be done.

I am not for cutting down trees either. But I am not opposed to Parks going in to remove certain types of greenery that can be harmful to other trees and bushes that can produce more oxygen.

Green nyc my ass, I go to nyu and there is a struggle going on right now with washington square park. Please join and help people. Bloomburger is already chopping down gorgeous trees (40-100 year old trees!) old. 7 have been cut down already - all of this just because "the fountain is not even with the arch." We need support from Queens - we can also raise the issue with the Ridgewood reservoir and acquire some help from our Manhattan friends.

Come and join!

Protest Mayor Bloomberg!! He will be speaking on Tues 15th about his "Green" initiative for NYC.

STOP "ARBORCIDE"

TAKE ACTION!

TELL THE MAYOR HOW YOU FEEL ABOUT WASHINGTON SQUARE PARK AND THE KILLING OF OUR 100 YEAR OLD TREES

Come join us bring friends, we need big numbers to attend.

Bring a sign. Express your outrage. Let the mayor know that we will not be silent while our environment is destroyed. We need to get the media to pay attention. Please be peaceful and orderly. We need to be taken seriously, not looked at as "crazies".

EVENT: How Green is my City: A Talk with Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg DATE: 1/15/08, 6:00 p.m. ORGANIZATION: New-York Historical Society's LOCATION: To get to The New-York Historical Society take B or C trains to 81st Street or M10 bus to 77th Street; M79 to 81st and CPW. INFO: 212-843-9216

To the person who said,"I was at a meeting regarding this issue. The Parks Dept. gave 3 proposed options for what could be done with the 3 basins. The most eastern basin contains the endangered species. The middle basin, which also contains some of the endangered species is the only basin with water still in it. The last basin, most western, does not contain any endangered species."

That person must have been sleeping during the meeting. I just sent the the Queens Crapper the slide from the presentation with the map showing "endangered species" in basin 3.

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